There are 19 article(s) tagged JB Smiley:

• August 2025

  • Jerri Green’s run for TN governor hits a red road

    Green acknowledged that part of her campaign’s struggle is to convince Democrats that a Democrat can win in Republican-dominated state political landscape.

    By Bill Dries August 25, 2025

• June 2025

  • Political Roundup: Lowery stumps, red state strategies and new voter numbers

    The Political Roundup looks at some sparks in the early field for Shelby County in the 2026 county elections and examines the political divide over what kind of a relationship a majority Democratic or blue city should keep with leaders of a red state.

    By Bill Dries June 30, 2025

• April 2025

  • JB Smiley Jr. touts ‘direct’ leadership style as he joins Shelby County mayor’s race

    Memphis City Council member JB Smiley Jr. joins what could be a large field of contenders in the Democratic primary to succeed Shelby County Mayor Lee Harris.

    By Bill Dries April 29, 2025

• January 2025

  • Chickasaw Gardens street closures hit indefinite roadblock

    The long-delayed Memphis City Council votes on closing two Chickasaw Gardens streets to auto traffic has been delayed indefinitely.

    By Bill Dries January 21, 2025

  • City Council deciding how to enact gun-control measures

    The Nov. 5 referendums on a set of three gun-control measures that would apply to Memphis were just a first step toward a local ordinance that would counteract current state gun laws.

    By Bill Dries January 11, 2025

• November 2024

  • City Council to ‘stand with the people’ on gun referendum

    The Memphis City Council’s passage of a gun-control ordinance is the next step now that voters have approved the ballot referendum.

    Related content:

    How runoffs would change Memphis politics

    By Bill Dries November 07, 2024

• September 2024

  • Calkins: Will Grizzlies be a casualty of gun referendum fight?

    “The future of the Grizzlies might be caught up in the ongoing fight over the gun referendum. For Memphis, it’s a dangerous game to play.”

    By Geoff Calkins September 23, 2024

  • Smiley: Gun-control referendum will be on November ballot

    On “Behind the Headlines,” Memphis City Council Chairman JB Smiley Jr. said the body would likely sue if the Tennessee Legislature attempted to withhold sales-tax revenue from the city. 

    By Bill Dries, Samuel Hardiman September 19, 2024

• June 2024

  • City budget season moves to amendments

    City Council budget committee chairman Chase Carlisle plans to push for votes on proposed amendments in a Wednesday, June 12, committee session. The fiscal year begins July 1. Final budget votes by are scheduled for June 25.

    By Bill Dries June 11, 2024

• May 2024

  • Solid-waste fee goes up in city budget proposal, too

    The $6.89 fee hike was among the focal points as City Council members held the first in a series of public forums Thursday, May 2, to gauge public opinion on the proposed 75-cent property-tax hike.

    By Bill Dries May 03, 2024

• January 2024

  • Young takes oath with call to ‘save our city’

    Paul Young and 12 of the 13 city council members took the oath of office at the Cannon Center to begin new four-year terms at City Hall. Young said the city will rise or fall depending on what happens in the next four years.

    By Bill Dries January 02, 2024

• May 2023

  • Memphis City Council members strategize gun control measures

    Council attorney Allan Wade says the council can put gun control measures on the ballot. He expects they’ll be “inundated” with challenges. He wouldn’t rule out a court fight over whether they could override state law.

    By Bill Dries May 17, 2023

  • Memphis voters could choose gun control laws

    A city ordinance that could prompt a court fight with the state over gun control has morphed into a potential ballot question for voters. The sponsors of the measure talk about it on “Behind The Headlines.”

    By Bill Dries May 15, 2023

• March 2023

  • Memphis mayoral residency referendum clears first reading

    A charter amendment that would require candidates for Memphis mayor and City Council to live in the city at least a year before election day could be headed to voters in 2024. 

    By Bill Dries March 22, 2023

• January 2023

  • Memphis City Council wants review of grant funding

    The review comes partly in response to Memphis Light, Gas and Water Division’s decision not to apply for $109 million worth of water infrastructure grants from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation.

    By Bill Dries January 11, 2023

• June 2022

  • Letter to the Editor: Denying security to former President Trump is an effort ‘filled with hatred’

    “America is at a crossroad. We either come together as one or watch this great nation disappear.”

    By Letters to the Editor June 08, 2022

• February 2022

  • Council opposes state bills dropping police residency requirements

    The council debate was underway as state legislators were debating in Nashville. The common factor in both discussions was Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis, who backed the bill in Nashville while outlining strategies to hire more officers who live in Memphis.

    By Bill Dries February 15, 2022

• December 2021

  • Young Dolph could have Memphis street named for him

    Memphis Councilman JB Smiley plans to sponsor a Memphis City Council resolution naming a street after the rapper. 

    By Julia Baker December 03, 2021

• September 2021

  • Oh Snap: This week’s best photos

    Some of our favorite photos this week include a comic book store, a record store, and a doughnut shop birthday gathering. Cast a ballot for the best one.

    By The Daily Memphian Staff September 11, 2021